Faia Brava Reserve

Located in the Coa Valley, along the border of Guarda District, the Faia Brava Reserve covers about 1000ha of land in the municipalities of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Pinhel. In this sector, the steep slopes of the river are formed by granite outcroppings and cliffs, a good habitat for the cliff-breeding birds. This area is inserted in the Coa Valley SPA (Natura 2000) and IBA (Birdlife International Important Bird Area) and, finally, in the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.In 2010 the Faia Brava Reserve was classified by the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Institute (ICNB) as the first private protected area of the country and is also currently a pilot area of the European project Rewilding Europe, for the creation of wild natural areas and for the development of nature tourism in Europe.

Main natural values: The Coa Valley fauna is quite diverse and important for conservation, and this is the main feature of Faia Brava Reserve. The most emblematic group are the cliff-breeding birds, of which stand out: the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata), the Eagle Owl (Bubo Bubo), the Alpine Swift (Apus melba). Recently, it was also confirmed the nesting of White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer).

Other values: Group of engravings and rock paintings of Faia (UNESCO), traditional dovecotes, Maronesas herd of cows and Garrano horses in semi-wild condition.